Tanner

Tanner of North Carolina was founded in 1931 as the Doncaster Collar and Shirt Company. Its founders were S.B. Tanner, Jr., and his wife Millie of Rutherfordton, NC. In 1935 the company began direct sales to consumers, through the Junior League of Charlotte. The concept caught on, and the business grew nationwide, with Millie as designer, and S.B. (known as BoBo) as the business director.

During the 1950s, Doncaster fashions were sold through direct sales and a second label, Tanner of North Carolina which was started in 1954, was sold through department stores and specialty shops. Dorothy Cox was hired as the designer about 1954. Before that, she was with McMullen.

Tanner and Doncaster closed in 2018.

Written by Contentmentfarmantiques

from an early-1960s dress

Courtesy of Hollie Point Vintage

from a 1960s dress

Courtesy of contentmentfarmantiques

from a 1970s shirt

Courtesy of chezmov

from a mid 2000s label

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1990s dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com